News

GAFCON votes to expand

News Release, Friday 25th October 2013

The second Global Anglican Future Conference, which concludes this weekend in Nairobi, resolved to expand its leadership role in supporting and recognising Anglicans in places where Biblical faith has been compromised.

A meeting of bishops within the conference this week voted without dissent to affirm the Primates Council in recognizing and overseeing theologically isolated Anglicans. This includes the expansion of the Anglican Mission in England and similar bodies around the Communion.

The text of the GAFCON Bishops' resolution follows:

To affirm and endorse the position of the Primates Council in providing oversight in cases where Provinces and Dioceses compromise biblical faith, including the affirmation of a duly discerned call to ministry. This may involve ordination and consecration if the situation requires.

The 331 Bishops and Archbishops attending GAFCON 2013 met at All Saints Cathedral, a greater number than in the first GAFCON in Jerusalem in 2008.

"We came to Nairobi seeking God's guidance for the future. Should we stop? Should we slow down? The Bishops told us we must go on." said Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of Kenya and Chairman of GAFCON.

The General Secretary of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, Dr Peter Jensen, said "The problems of the communion in the 21st Century were aired last weekend. But this conference, this movement, is not just calling attention to the dysfunction, it's about building for the future."

The General Secretary described GAFCON as unique - gathering Archbishops, Bishops and clergy as well as lay men and women.

Those attending also took part in smaller groups discussing issues such as marriage and family, women, Gospel and culture, theological education and Islam.

The conference attracted 1,358 delegates - 871 Clergy, 487 laity.

There will be a final conference communiqué released tomorrow with more detail and further announcements about the future of the movement.